The Shadow of Great Britain
Chapter 444 - 444 248 Hastings-type 5K6

444: Chapter 248: Hastings-type (5K6) 444: Chapter 248: Hastings-type (5K6) In the office, Arthur looked at Disraeli, who was sprawled on the sofa gasping for breath, and calmly took a sip of tea.

He set down his teacup and began, “What’s the matter with you?

Isn’t it just moral suasion?

The way you are now, people who don’t know better might think you’ve been attending to the ladies’ business non-stop for a month.”

Disraeli looked up at the ceiling and muttered, “Non-stop for a month?

Arthur, you think highly of me.

If I really had to do that, I’d prefer to just give the money and forgo the follow-up services.

After all, dealing with Mrs.

Sykes alone has already exhausted me.”

“Hmm?”

Arthur picked a small biscuit from the box on the table, “It seems that Mrs.

Sykes’s motives for getting close to you are indeed not so pure…”

Upon hearing this, Disraeli adjusted his collar and said earnestly, “Arthur, my relationship with Mrs.

Sykes hasn’t progressed to the extent you’re imagining.”

Arthur put the biscuit in his mouth, an arm draped over the back of the chair, and said, “Benjamin, don’t misunderstand, I was merely complimenting your charm.”

Disraeli let out a cunning smile, “Arthur, it’s not just me who has charm, you are just the same.

As everyone knows, outstanding men always attract the ladies’ attention.

I’ve frequently heard your name on the lips of the ladies during the parties.”

“Oh?

Is that so?” Arthur asked, “When you attend parties, why do you discuss me with the ladies?

As far as I know, that behavior doesn’t make sense.”

Disraeli questioned, “Which logic?”

Arthur took out his handkerchief and wiped the biscuit crumbs off his hands, “From what I understand, when dealing with relationships between the sexes, men usually think with their lower half.

Benjamin, although we are good friends, I can’t believe you would remember to look out for a friend’s welfare when thinking with your lower half.

Of course, if you did remember, then I think it’s best I keep my distance from you.”

Disraeli retorted, “Damn it!

Arthur, what do you take me for!

I’m not Eld.

Although I do cherish my friendship with Mrs.

Sykes, I have not degraded to the extent you describe.

When I’m with her, I keep my head very clear!”

“Is that so?” Arthur took a sip of tea, “Then I think Mrs.

Sykes is probably going to fall into your hands.”

Disraeli furrowed his brow, “Why would you say that?”

Arthur began, “Mrs.

Sykes has a fondness for you, and your relationship with her is very close, yet your mind remains exceptionally clear.

This suggests that the love you’re showing her is feigned.

A friend of Alexander once said: ‘In fact, feigned love is more perfect than real love, that’s why many women are deceived.’ So I’m certain Mrs.

Sykes will definitely fall for you.

No wonder she’s been recommending you so much to Earl Lyndhurst, Benjamin, she’s been charmed by you.”

Disraeli asked, “Why not just outright say that it was you who said it?

No need to bring in what some friend of Alexander said.

Arthur, you don’t need to beat around the bush to tease me.”

Arthur shrugged innocently, “Benjamin, it really wasn’t me who said that.”

“Then who said it?”

“Honoré de Balzac.

And speaking of which, his ‘The Human Comedy’ is quite a good read.

If you’d like to borrow it, you can ask Alexander; he has a French version.

You could borrow the book to share with Mrs.

Sykes, and incidentally have her teach you some French.

Ladies of high society usually speak it quite well, and it’s much safer than learning Polish.”

“Polish?” Disraeli grinned, “That would indeed be too risky, although learning Polish does have its benefits – you’d get to appear in ‘The Times’.

That’s something many a politician would kill for!”

Arthur stirred his tea with a spoon, “Shall I arrange it for you then?”

“Thanks for the kind offer, but I think I’d rather not make a big fuss about learning a foreign language,” Disraeli said, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

“Besides, I’ve already said, just dealing with Mrs.

Sykes is tiring enough.”

“What do you usually do with her?”

“Oh, that would be a long story.”

Disraeli counted on his fingers, “Mrs.

Sykes has quite a broad range of interests, and she’s curious about everything, especially new things that have not been around for long.

Whenever she’s free, she invites me to different places for thrills.

In the past month, I’ve not only accompanied her to Royal Society lectures but also to the chills of the Tower of London’s subterranean levels.

I’ve shopped with her in various luxury stores on Regent Street for quite a lot of obscure gadgets, you know, you can always find something novel on Regent Street.”

As soon as Arthur heard this, he suddenly remembered the experience he and Disraeli had when investigating the perfumery on Regent Street, and he said, “Hopefully Mrs.

Sykes hasn’t recently bought lipstick on Regent Street, otherwise she might get into trouble.”

Disraeli asked, “What’s happened?

Have Saint Jerome’s followers started harping on their old tune again?

Claiming that wearing lipstick is an act against God because it alters a woman’s appearance?

Please, I’m almost sick of hearing that nonsense.”

Arthur shook his head, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “No, that’s not it.

It’s because last week at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, they nearly convicted a case based on the ‘Lipstick Act’ established in 1770.”